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NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 18: Advice and Predictions

by Sean Barnard - 1/4/2023

NFL Survivor pool picks Week 18 Miles Sanders Philadelphia Eagles

The light at the end of the NFL tunnel is here, and everyone who is still in their survivor pool deserves some massive credit. With everything on the line in Week 18, and more than half of the teams already chosen, it is a difficult situation. There is plenty on the line for several teams, and it also is worth keeping an eye on which teams might consider resting their starters. With this in mind, here are the Week 18 games ranked from strongest to weakest for the season finale.

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 Philadelphia Eagles (-14) over New York Giants

This is an important game for the Eagles for a few reasons. Most notably, it will lock up their top seed and secure them a first-round bye week. They also are coming off back-to-back losses in which they have looked as bad as they have all season, although it should be noted Gardner Minshew was under center. In contrast, the Giants have locked up their playoff spot and have no chance of climbing further. With Jalen Hurts trending towards making his return for the Eagles, and the Giants having nothing to play for, count on Philadelphia to put forth a complete effort and build some momentum.

Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) over Houston Texans

Neither of these teams are overly inspiring as they sit with a combined record of 6-24-2. Their lone tie occurred between each other in Week 1. While the Colts have fallen flat in recent weeks, Jeff Saturday will be coaching for his job and looking to make his case for why he deserves to remove the interim tag on his head coach title moving forward. In contrast, a loss would cement the Texans the number one pick. They rank 31st in the league in scoring and 32nd in yards on offense, while ranking 26th in scoring defense and 30th in yards allowed on defense. Expect the Colts to do enough to get the win in this one and for the Texans to shift their focus to next season.

Dallas Cowboys (-4) over Washington Commanders

It will take a win and a loss by the Eagles and 49ers for the Cowboys to climb the playoff standings and secure a bye week. They will be facing off with their NFC East rival, who have been plagued by poor quarterback play. Washington benched Taylor Heinicke in favor of Carson Wentz last week, and the latter played a major role in the loss. They will now turn to rookie Sam Howell to get the job done. Dallas is the more well-rounded team and will not let their playoff hopes to evaporate in their own hands. Count on the Cowboys to deliver and finish the regular season off with a win.

Minnesota Vikings (-4) over Chicago Bears

The Bears have not won a game since Week 7 and will now trust Nathan Peterman with quarterback responsibilities to close things out. Even with Justin Fields under center, the Bears offense has struggled greatly, and the defense is allowing the most points in the league. A loss by Chicago means they will get the number two pick at worst. While Minnesota is locked in on their postseason spot, they are the more talented team overall. Take the Vikings to get the win and prove they have the more well-rounded roster. Even if they rest some of the starters, count on the Vikings to deliver and pick up a final win in the regular season.

Buffalo Bills (-7.5) over New England Patriots

New England still has their postseason goals in front of them, and a win would be their most straightforward way of getting in. However, they face a difficult task against a Bills team that has looked like the best team in the NFL for most of the season. Buffalo ranks 5th in the league in scoring while allowing the second-fewest yards and fewest points. In what is sure to be an emotional matchup following Monday Night’s tragedy, take the Bills to get the win and expect the Patriots to need some help from teams around the league to a playoff spot.

Kansas City Chiefs (-9.5) over Las Vegas Raiders

It will take a win and the Bills to lose for the Chiefs to jump into the top seed in the AFC, but they have a postseason spot locked up regardless. The Raiders have had a disastrous season and are outside the playoff picture. After benching Derek Carr, and giving Jarrett Stidham an opportunity to play quarterback, there have been some signs of life. While the Raiders still suffered a loss, Stidham completed 23 of his 34 passes for 365 yards and three touchdowns and took the 49ers to overtime. Even still, Kansas City is the much better football team. And with an offense capable of exploding, count on them to pull away in this one.

Jacksonville Jaguars (-6.5) over Tennessee Titans

It looked as if the Titans were growing into contenders this season, but they have come to a rapid halt. Tennessee has lost six straight games and fallen to 7-9 on the season. Malik Willis has not looked ready following Ryan Tannehill’s season-ending injury, and Joshua Dobbs is set to get the start in this must-win matchup. The Jaguars defeated the Titans, 36-22, in Week 14 and are ending the season strong. They have scored at least 30 points in three of their last four and also will have a postseason berth on the line. Tennessee’s quarterback play will be their downfall, so expect the Jaguars to stay hot.

Seattle Seahawks (-6.5) over Los Angeles Rams                           

Seattle is in the hunt for the postseason and competing with the Lions and Packers for the final playoff spot. After a strong start to the season, the Seahawks have cooled off some. Although they did take down the Rams 27-23 when they faced off in Week 13. Los Angeles has nothing to play for after a disappointing season as shown by their 5-11 record. They put forth an impressive 51-14 victory over the Broncos in Week 16 but were taken down by the Chargers last week. Expect the Seahawks to do enough to get the win and make their final push for the playoffs. They have enough talent and experience for this to be possible, and this will put the exclamation point on a successful season.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) over Cleveland Browns

The Steelers are in the midst of an impressive season turnaround with Mike Tomlin deserving of plenty of credit. They are on the heels of their most impressive win of the season, as Kenny Pickett led the team to a fourth-quarter comeback on Sunday Night over the Ravens. Cleveland has been eliminated from the postseason race, but Deshaun Watson has shown some signs of shaking off the rust. Regardless, count on Mike Tomlin to keep his 16-year streak of never finishing below .500 alive and for him to get the win in this one. The Steelers have been playing their best football of late and will continue this against Cleveland.

Denver Broncos (+3) over Los Angeles Chargers

This season has been an absolute disaster for the Broncos. However, they have a chance to end on a high note and have shown some signs of life since firing Nathaniel Hackett. The Chargers are locked in on a playoff spot and cannot move up or down, so they may lean toward resting their starters. While Denver’s goals for the season are in their rearview, ending the season on a high note could still go a long way. Look for them to pull off the upset and give something to build off moving forward.

San Francisco 49ers (-14) over Arizona Cardinals

San Francisco is riding a nine-game winning streak and have a chance to secure the top seed in the NFC with a win and an Eagles loss. Despite being down to their third-string quarterback, they continue to prove they are among the top Super Bowl contenders. The Cardinals are a mess and sit at 4-12 and riding a six-game losing streak. This is assumed to be Kliff Kingsbury’s final game as the Cardinals head coach, and it also is JJ Watt’s final game before his retirement. For some reason, this feels like a matchup that could be closer than it should, but count on the 49ers to get the win.

Cincinnati Bengals (-7) over Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati will not make up their matchup with the Bills, and the event surely had a massive impact on each of the players. Each of these teams has clinched a spot in the playoffs, and it is unclear if Lamar Jackson will be suiting up or not. Cincinnati’s 5th ranked rushing defense will be put to the test against the run-heavy Baltimore offense regardless. Both teams may consider resting players, but expect the Bengals to get the edge in this one. They have been playing some impressive football to finish the year and will look to put an exclamation point on it to close the regular season.

Miami Dolphins (PK) over New York Jets

The Jets have undergone a massive collapse after controlling their playoff destiny for most of the season. New York has not been eliminated from the playoff race due to their five straight losses. Miami also has struggled down the stretch and will need a win and some help from other teams to get in. Tua Tagovailoa is in concussion protocol once again, and Teddy Bridgewater also will be out due to a dislocated pinky on his throwing hand. Skylar Thompson will get the start in this must-win matchup but has struggled this season. Don’t expect this to be a high-scoring game, but expect the Dolphins to lean on their skill position and do enough to get a win.

Atlanta Falcons (-3) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With Tampa Bay locked into the 4th seed of the playoffs regardless of the result of this matchup, this is a great opportunity for the Buccaneers to give some rest to their starters. In contrast, the Falcons have been playing some improved football of late. Desmond Ridder has shown some flashes as the starting quarterback and will be looking to prove he deserves an extended opportunity. With the Falcons having more to play for and a hungry young team, count on them to get the win.

Carolina Panthers (+3.5) over New Orleans Saints

Both teams have been eliminated from the postseason, but each have plenty to play for. Panthers interim Head Coach Steve Wilks has done an impressive job since stepping in and led the team to a 5-5 record since he took over. Sam Darnold will also be looking to make his case for why he deserves further consideration as a starting quarterback. New Orleans does not possess their own first-round pick but are riding a three-game winning streak, and first-year head coach Dennis Allen will be looking to end the season on a high note. Even still, the Panthers have scored 26 or more points across the past five weeks, and the change in team attitude has been notable. Look for them to put forth a high-level effort and produce a victory to close out the season.

Sunday Night: Green Bay Packers (-4.5) over Detroit Lions

A Seahawks victory could spoil it for the Lions, but this matchup could be a ‘win and you’re in’ scenario for both teams. Even if this is the case, Detroit will surely be more than happy than to close the playoff door for the Packers. This is a scary divisional matchup that you are likely better off stepping away from. However, going with Aaron Rodgers in this type of situation usually bodes well. Expect this to come down to the wire, but the Packers have been clicking of late and looking to continue their four-game winning streak.

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